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Georgia lawmakers tackle public health proposals

More expectant parents could qualify for home health care support, community health workers could get professional certification, and immigrant doctors could find an easier path to practicing in Georgia under proposals being considered by state legislators. As the Georgia General Assembly session gets underway, bills are expected to address a number of public health policies and set the state’s spending plan. These measures must pass a floor vote before “crossover day” on March 6 to move ahead.

How often should you wash your sheets? Experts settle the debate once and for all

If you were to ask a random group of people, "How often do you wash your sheets?" you'd likely get drastically different answers. From "Every single Sunday" to "Who washes their sheets weekly?" According to a survey of 1,000 Americans, the average time between sheet changings or washings in the U.S. is 24 days—or every 3 1/2 weeks. The same survey revealed that 35 days is the average interval at which unwashed sheets are "gross."

State epidemiologist:
Georgia reaches peak flu season
as cases rise

Georgia is in the peak of flu season. The Georgia Department of Public Health said while flu dominates emergency room visits, RSV, which surged across Georgia in December, is now beginning to decline. Georgia State Epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek recently updated on the three respiratory viruses. COVID-19 remains low, but is increasing alongside flu cases. The DPH emphasized that flu season typically peaks around this time of year.

The Germiest Things You Touch Every Day

Cellphone: It goes with you everywhere -- even into the bathroom. As a result, it could be up to 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. In fact, it could have E. coli on it... a bacteria that can give you diarrhea and stomach cramps. It can live for hours on a warm surface like your phone. The solution: Wash your hands with soap after you go. Remote Control: Everyone touches it -- even the neighbor’s kid who picks their nose nonstop. When it isn’t in your germy hands, it’s either on the floor or stuck between the sofa cushions.

First case of measles in the state for the year reported, Georgia DPH says

The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of measles in the state for 2025. An unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident contracted the virus while traveling within the U.S. and was infectious between Jan. 19-24. Health officials are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed during this period. Measles is highly contagious, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

Ozempic, Wegovy and other drugs are among 15 selected for Medicare's price negotiations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced the selection of 15 additional drugs covered under Medicare Part D for price negotiations. The negotiations with participating drug companies for these 15 drugs will occur in 2025 and any negotiated prices become effective in 2027. The aim is to lower prices for some more of the costliest prescription drugs.

Physical therapy is ‘the best-kept secret in health care’

If you think physical therapy is only about rehab after surgery or recovering from an accident, think again. For the majority, seeing a physical therapist should be about prevention, routine assessment and staying well. “We’re the best-kept secret in health care,” Sharon Dunn, past president of the APTA, said. The image of the profession tends to be one-dimensional. You’ve had knee surgery, your back keeps acting up or you’re injured and you’ve been referred by a physician to a physical therapist.

Cold, Flu, or Something Else?
Know the Symptoms of
Common Winter Bugs

January is a time of New Year’s resolutions, snow days, and something far less optimistic: a rise in seasonal viruses. Infection rates for flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are high and climbing, while COVID-19 is seeing a slight uptick. The other trending illness this year? Norovirus, which is an intestinal virus that causes violent vomiting and diarrhea. Outbreaks this year are about 36% higher than last year. Deciphering which virus you have can be tricky.

Keeping blood pressure under control is critical. There's a new option for tough cases

About half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a major risk for heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, even dementia. Many people don’t even realize they have hypertension until it’s done serious damage. “Know your blood pressure, know the numbers,” stressed Dr. Randy Zusman of Massachusetts General Hospital, who specializes in the hardest-to-treat cases and advises people who think they’re fine to at least get a yearly check.

FDA Bans Red Dye 3 In Food: How It Could Impact GA Products

Some familiar foods will begin to disappear from Georgia grocery store shelves in the next couple of years after action Wednesday by federal regulators to ban a dye called Red 3 nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risks. The cancer rate in Georgia was 147 per 100,000 population in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest available data. That year, 18,302 Georgia residents died of cancer-related causes.

Is Organic Food Better Than
Non-Organic Food?

In spite of growing awareness over rising grocery costs, Americans continue to shell out for fresh organic produce. U.S. shoppers collectively spent more than $9 billion on organic fruits and vegetables last year. That’s more than was spent on conventional produce, even though organic items have a significant markup. People are willing to pay a premium for organic fruits and vegetables. The "organic" designation isn't necessarily a measure of how healthy or nutritious a food is.

9 of the Best Fruits to Eat,
According to Nutritionists

Fruits are among the healthiest foods you can eat, whether they are enjoyed alone, blended into smoothies, or tossed in leafy green salads. They're also delicious, especially if bought in season. And while all fruits offer benefits for nutrition and flavor, certain varieties are particularly impressive. We asked nutrition experts to share the best fruits to eat, along with ways to eat more of them at home.
Blueberries - Despite their tiny size, blueberries are teeming with health benefits.

Oat Milk vs. Almond Milk:
Which Is Healthier?

Cow's milk has long been a staple in many diets as a source of calcium and other crucial nutrients. As more people seek plant-based lifestyles, dairy-free alternatives, like oat and almond milk, are becoming increasingly popular. Oat and almond milk are naturally lactose- and dairy-free, making them an excellent option for people following a vegan diet or dairy sensitivities. Research suggests that plant-based dairy alternatives offer unique health benefits and may be more eco-friendly than cow's milk.

Pomegranate seeds have major benefits for heart and gut health — plus powerful antioxidants

Pomegranates and their gem-like arils add a boost of rich color and bright flavor to any dish. But they also have major health benefits, experts say, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects — on top of their high content of fiber, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Often considered a "superfood," pomegranates provide "a ton of great benefits," Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition, tells TODAY.com.

Keep the eggs but replace
5 bad-for-you breakfast foods,
says nutritionist

Eggs have gotten a bad rap in the nutrition space over time for being potential contributors to high cholesterol levels. The FDA, however, recently classified eggs as a "healthy, nutrient-dense food" in a proposed new rule. Robin DeCicco, a certified holistic nutritionist and founder of Power of Food Education, described eggs as an "accessible" and versatile protein that shouldn't be a food item that's swapped out or modified on your breakfast plate.

10 Popular Snacks Ranked by Nutrition (and What to Skip)

Snacking has become an essential part of daily life, but not all snacks are created equal. While some are packed with nutrients that fuel your body, others are loaded with sugar, salt, and empty calories. Understanding the nutritional value of your favorite snacks can help you make healthier choices. In this article, we rank 10 popular snacks by their nutrition and highlight which ones to skip. Let’s dive in and see how your favorites stack up!
1. Fresh Fruit: The Ultimate Snack

FDA proposes mandatory nutrition labels on the front of packages

The FDA proposed new rules that would require most packaged foods to display simplified nutrition information on the front of packages in addition to the nutrition label consumers are used to seeing on the back. The proposed "at-a-glance" label would prominently show whether foods contain low, medium or high levels of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars — all of which can be linked to chronic diseases when consumed in excess. The "Nutrition Info box" on the back would stay unchanged.

Nuts Are Nutrient Powerhouses,
But How You Eat Them Matters

Contrary to what the old playground song suggests, beans are not a magical fruit. But nuts might be. With the exception of peanuts, which are actually legumes — and which no one really wants to eat, outside of a vegetarian at a Dodgers game — most nuts are either the seeds of fruits or fruits themselves. Brazil nuts are another gray area, because they are the seeds of Brazil nut trees, but they’re also considered slightly radioactive, so you really should avoid eating more than two a day.

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